‘London Football Unites for Ukraine’ has raised over £2,000 after a busy weekend of fundraising at Leyton Orient’s League Two game against Rochdale at Brisbane Road.
Launched by London Football Scene, the campaign is urging all the Capital’s clubs, players and fans to raise as much money as possible for British-Ukrainian Aid in order to help with much needed humanitarian relief in war-torn Ukraine.
Orient were the first club to answer the call, with members of the local Ukrainian community joining forces with youngsters from the O’s National Citizen Service scheme to provide a bucket collection at Saturday’s game.
Visitors Rochdale also played their part, with manager Robbie Stockdale joining Leyton Orient boss Richie Wellens on camera to urge supporters to dig deep for the cause.
An incredible £1,500 was raised on the day with more events planned across other clubs throughout London.
London Football Scene have also been working closely with the UK Ukrainian Sports Supporters Club (UKUSSC) and the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) through the crisis in Ukraine.
And the contacts and relationships came in useful to support QPR’s own fundraising efforts ahead of Sunday’s game against Peterborough United where money was once again collected for British-Ukrainian Aid.
The generosity wasn’t just in the Football League though as fan-owned Southern Counties East League side Fisher FC also raised over £200 at their home game against Canterbury City.
Billed as ‘A Day of Solidarity for the people of Ukraine’, Fisher’s programme notes read: “This is what Fisher is all about, a club that loves football but loves the community that grew up around it more.
“We are fan-owned for a reason. If we can help we will, it’s the Fisher way.”
Vlodko Pawluk, chair of London AUGB, who helped organise QPR’s efforts said: “As the war and disaster unfolds we have to explore all revenue streams.
“Over the next couple of weeks and months, every penny we raise will be important – especially when it comes to humanitarian aid to help the Ukrainian people in destroyed cities and towns and to help people who have become refugees in Poland and other parts of Europe.
“It’s great that football clubs, whatever level they are at, are able and willing to help us and we really appreciate the ‘London Football Unites for Ukraine’ campaign’s help.”
A spokesperson for British-Ukrainian Aid added: “With bombings and explosions in major cities across the country and thousands of families being forced to flee their homes, there’s an urgent need to help those who have been wounded, stranded and displaced in Ukraine.
“The British-Ukrainian Aid charity supports people suffering from the war and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine by aligning UK and Ukrainian efforts.
“We are very grateful for all the help we receive through fundraisers from football clubs.
“We welcome the fantastic initiative launched by Blake Welton, ‘London Football Unites for Ukraine’ campaign, and thanks to the generous donations of the British public we hope to be able to alleviate the suffering of casualties of war in Ukraine and those seeking shelter in Europe.”
On the weekend’s events, London Football Scene’s Editor-in-Chief Blake Welton said: “This is exactly what the power of football can do – so many people coming together for a common good.
“I can’t thank Leyton Orient enough for leading from the front on the ‘London Football Unites for Ukraine’ campaign as well as QPR and Fisher FC for their help and support.
“Even smaller things like promoting awareness of our fundraising efforts which the likes of Millwall and Rochdale have done play a massive part.
“With Russia’s invasion appearing to have no end in sight though, we must all still stand just as resolute and do what we can as a football community.
“This is only the beginning of the campaign and I am excited at the other fundraising events and initiatives on the horizon and urge everyone – clubs, players and fans to get involved in whatever way they can.”
‘LONDON FOOTBALL UNITES FOR UKRAINE’
Liaising with the UK Ukrainian Sports Supporters Club (UKUSSC) and the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB), London Football Scene has launched ‘London Football Unites for Ukraine’ – a fundraising campaign to provide as much relief to those in need.
We are urging all the Capital’s clubs, players and fans to raise as much money as possible for British-Ukrainian Aid (registered charity No. 1164472).
Please visit our JustGiving Page to give as much as you can and look out for more events and fundraising activities over the coming few weeks.
London Football Unites for Ukraine: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/londonfootballunitesforukraine